Romney’s win in the debates last week and his surge in the polls is seen by many political analysts as something unprecedented in US Presidential history, this late in the elections. For those who support Romney, this is inspiring and an amazing feat. and has charged many conservatives up around the country. Those who do not support him are also inspired to try harder and are also charged up more than before to support Obama.

Since I am a conservative, Mormon Republican I obviously lean towards Romney and associate with mostly people who are of the same opinion. Being somewhat of an “insider” so to speak, I’ll share with you some of the things I’ve seen and heard among Mormons leading up to and after the 1st debate that lead me to believe the majority of Mormons feel God helped Romney win the first debate.

1. People sharing their “testimony” of Mitt Romney

For those who are not familiar with the monthly Mormon “Fast and Testimony” meetings, I’ll briefly describe what they are. On the first Sunday of each month, Mormons fast usually from food and water, for a day and use the money they would have used to pay for food and donate it to those who are less fortunate. During the “Fast and Testimony” meeting in church, Mormons are encouraged to stand up and share their “witness” or “testimony” of Jesus and the gospel.

Although discussing politics in church isn’t a normal occurance, I have heard some Mormons getting up recently and testifying of how God is leading Mitt Romney and praising Romney for being such a good man.

While I do not condone testifying of men at the pulpit, I appreciate that people are excited for a potential leader of our country who they feel is a righteous person.

2. Fasting for Mitt Romney

For those who are not familiar with the Mormon concept of fasting for someone, I’ll briefly explain. Occasionally, Mormons will unite in prayer and fasting to pray for a person who is sick, a situation to improve, etc. The concept is that through fasting and meditation, one comes closer to God and the powers of Heaven are brought down upon the person or situation.

A week or so before the debates, I received a Facebook message from one of my fellow Mormon friends. She had joined a group to fast for Mitt Romney before the 1st debate so God could lift him up.

Judging from the historical leap in the polls Romney had after the debates, it is nothing short of a miracle. I think many Mormons believe that through prayer and fasting, Romney shined in the debates.

3. Putting Romney’s name in the temple

In Mormon temples, there is part of the endowment ceremony where people come together joining hands in a circle and pray for a list of names of people who are in need of help. The names are written down on little pieces of paper and put into a box and prayed over in general terms, not individually by name.

One of my friends was telling me that his parents, who are temple workers, saw Mitt Romney’s name on the pieces of paper numerous times as they were emptying the prayer box after the temple ceremony.

He then shared with me that he and many others feel that God helped Romney win the debates because of the prayers offered in his behalf in the temples prior to the debates.

Conclusion

While I do not have hard data, I do get the feeling that most Mormons feel that Romney was lifted up by God to help him win the debate and put him ahead of Obama currently.

I am also aware that those who do not support Romney feel that Romney cheated and lied his way through the debate to beat Obama. Those who support Obama also feel that Romney didn’t really do that great, it’s just that Obama did so poorly that Romney looked better than he is.

In order to gather some hard numbers on this issue, feel free to take the short poll below and as always, feel free to leave a comment.

On Wednesday Hudson…revealed that a group calling itself Catholics for Obama had been making push poll phone calls in support of the president’s re-election bid. Among the questions being asked, he said, was “How can you support a ‘Mormon’ who does not believe in Jesus Christ?”

The article goes on to mention some other shady things the campaign is doing in Ohio to drum up support for Obama.

Over the past year or so that I’ve been following Romney, I’ve been waiting for a moment where the real Romney stands up. I’ve heard his experience leading businesses and of his successes. I’ve been impressed by the amount he gives to charity. But when watching him, I get the sense that he’s too scripted and is holding something back. He hasn’t openly spoken of his faith and he hasn’t openly countered attacks that have come his way. This gives me (and I’m sure others) a sense that perhaps he’s hiding something.

I feel the same as many Americans do. I believe in God and family and hope for a better future and I feel that we’re really not better off now than when Obama took office. However, I feel that we crave leadership and someone who can inspire confidence.

Up until now, I feel that Romney hasn’t done a good job at all of letting people know who he really is and inspiring leadership based on core beliefs he has. I feel he has played things too safe and has talked in cliche’s. I feel, like many, that the real Romney hasn’t stood up. That is, until last week at the Republican convention.

While I watched his speech, I sensed that he was speaking from his heart. He spoke passionately of his faith and family and the future of America. He referenced God a number of times. He praised his wife and those who went before us. Some of his words were so inspiring that I wrote them down, which I will share below.

Top Phrases from Romney’s Speech

All the laws and legislation in the world will not take place of the love a parents give children.

If every child could fall asleep wrapped in the love of a family and God’s love, this world would be a better place.

When quoting his mother: “Why should women have any less decision than men when making decisions about our great nation?!”

Ann’s job as a mom was a lot harder than mine. Her job was also much more important than mine.

The strength and goodness of America is based on the goodness of the families of America and their faith.

If you felt excitement of hope and change when you voted for Obama 4 years ago, shouldn’t you feel that way now that he’s President Obama?

You know there’s something wrong with your president when the best feeling you had was the day you voted for him.

Is it any wonder why someone who attacks success has led the worst economic recovery since the Great Depression?

In America we celebrate success…we don’t apologize for success!

This president can tell us to be patient, he can tell us to give him another 4 years to get it right…but he cannot tell us you are better off now than you were 4 years ago.

President Obama pledged to slow the rise of the Oceans and to heal the planet. My promise is to help you and your family.

If you consider yourself a conservative Christian and you want someone with conservative values in the White House you must vote for Romney. Dr Dobson said in a statement yesterday that a vote for Huckabee is essentially a vote for McCain and if McCain wins the nomination he won’t vote.